I brewed my first batch (Brewer's Best Robust Porter) last Friday and my second today (pale ale from a Winemaker's kit) - wanted to get my pipeline going . After I got today's batch into the primary, I opened up the porter to get a SG reading. Initial was 1.048 and now it is 1.022. It is supposed to be around 1.015, so I think that is going well. Now for the question. I put some into a snifter style glass for a taste. Upon smelling it, I was pleased - it is getting there. The taste was a little bitter, which I expected, but it also tasted watered down. Is this normal (the watery taste) for a beer 1 week into it?

Thanks in advance. This forum rocks. I have learned so much in just a couple of weeks!

Never ever judge a beer until it has been carbed and conditioned At least three weeks in the bottle...sometimes 6-8. It sounds like you are tasting it in the fermenter, your beer is still fermenting, it is going to go through a huge amount of changes or the next few weeks....or months depending on the beer...

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Thanks guys. I know that this isn't going to be the final taste of the beer, but I wanted to know if this was appropriate at this stage of the game. That way when it turns out great (hopefully), I will know what to expect along the way.

Revvy,

I have read those posts and they were very informative. They are helping me with my impatience. Thanks.

Thanks guys. I know that this isn't going to be the final taste of the beer, but I wanted to know if this was appropriate at this stage of the game. That way when it turns out great (hopefully), I will know what to expect along the way.

Revvy,

I have read those posts and they were very informative. They are helping me with my impatience. Thanks.

Thanks, that's what they are there for.

I think that the need for patience in all aspects of this hobby, is the most important, yet least stressed in books and kit instructions....

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Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman

I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew

To throw in my $0.02, it's rarely a good idea to taste a fermenting beer.

Once you've hit your final gravity, though, you *should* taste your hydrometer samples, because over time you'll develop an innate sense for how the final beer will taste, even if the sample is green, warm and uncarbonated. Until you have that experience, just taste it and accept all the flaws (unless it tastes sour) - the final beer will be fine. If the sample tastes sour, you may have an infection, but even most of those end up producing very drinkable beers with some age (being careful to vent the bottles from time to time to prevent bottle bombs due to overcarbonation).

To throw in my $0.02, it's rarely a good idea to taste a fermenting beer.

Once you've hit your final gravity, though, you *should* taste your hydrometer samples, because over time you'll develop an innate sense for how the final beer will taste, even if the sample is green, warm and uncarbonated. Until you have that experience, just taste it and accept all the flaws (unless it tastes sour) - the final beer will be fine. If the sample tastes sour, you may have an infection, but even most of those end up producing very drinkable beers with some age (being careful to vent the bottles from time to time to prevent bottle bombs due to overcarbonation).

+1 to this....

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Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman

I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew

Brewenstein - I agree, once your first couple of batches are done your be able to relax and not feel the need to open up the primary until it is done. (of course I primary in glass so I can see what's going on). But I alwasy taste my sample readings, usually at 1 to three weeks.
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